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July'z, 1 929. M, M, SCHARF 1,719,785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 7 Sheets-Sheetl l Ummm .u1 "d "umIIIIIII Il SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheff(v` 231a/vento@ July 2,1925. x M MscHARF 1.719.785

' -SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 /05 Y /ooA July 2,1929. M, M SCHARF 1,719,785*y SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 7Sheets-Sheet 4 k*Jlllly 2, 1929; M, M' SCHARF 1719.785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 60 se Y f 6J I Hm, *Al t Imm j; l

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July 2, 1929. M M, SCHARF 1.719.785

SEWING MACHINE Filed May 5 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 'i III MN M'. M. SCHARFJuly 2, 1929.

SEWING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 5, 1925 constituting the frame.

Patented 'July 2, .1929.

i mais MICHAEL M. SCHARF, v0]? LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

e snwnvefivmonrnn. A

` Appnation'lea May 5, 1925. serial' No.7"2s,`14s. c

subject of the manufacture of umbrellas',

parasols and the like7 thecoveror fabric poreV tion of the umbrella iscomposed of a plurality oftriangularsegments stitched together i alongtheir adj acent edges parallel to the ribs On completion of the cover,it is stitched over the central rod and the outer Aperiphery of thecover is then stitchedv or sewed by hand to the.' end ofthe rib. rFherib tip is providedwith a smalleye or'aperture, and the end of thecoverturned inwardly adjacent the eye, where it is sewe'd tothe rib, thethread passing several'times thru the fabric and eye and around theupper side and then theunder sideof the cover. The present inventioncontemplates a sewing machine for performing this stitching` opera-vtion which heretofore has always been'done' by'hand, w i

Itis therefore one of thel objects of the pres-` ent inventionto'provide a simple and practicalsewing machine of the labove vgeneralcharacter which will beso faras possible` entirely automatic in itsoperation. f

A further object of this invention is toprovide a machine of the abovecharacter that will automatically gripy the cover inproper position"about the en d off the rib inlpredetermined relation to a reciprocatingneedle which will stitch the cover tothe rib.

A further object is to provide a machine of the last mentioned characterwith suitable mechanism for reciprocating the needle. atvperiodicalintervals and simultaneously shifting the worlr support orthat part which .grips the fabric and rib whereby V,the stitching threadis caused to pass thru lthe eye of the rib and above and below the samein l`exactly the manner that the stitchingoperationihas been heretoforeperformed by hand;

- A further object is to provide a machine for automaticallycompensating the throw of the thread with respect to .the amount ofthread used whereby the thread will be drawn taut at eachstitc'hingoperation.

' A further object isrto provide a 'mechanismy ofthe above describedcharacter forsevering A further obj ect is to provide alsimpleandpractical mechanism Ifor automatically rethreading needle prior to thestarting of a subsequent tlpping operation.

A further object is to provide a mechanism 'of the above generalcharacterv having relativelyl ,eW'T'pa-rts, ywhich is unlikely to getout of order and which vmay be inexpensively manufacture'chassembled andinstalled.'V

A furtherA object is to provide asewing'mai chine of the lastfabovementioned character which maybe easily operated, will be safe tohandlevand which will not requirethe coi` loperation of a skilledoperator,

Other objects will-,be inl part obvious from the annexed .drawingsand-in part indicated from the following analysis of this invention.

The inventionaccordingly consists in the lfeatures ofconstruction, thecombination of parts, and in Ythe ,unique relation nof the variousmembers and the relative proportioning and dispositioningthereof,l allas more clearly outlinedherein; y 'Y i 'ff' y To enable others skilledin the art to fully comprehend the underlying featuresthereof, inorder'that theyvmay embody the same, by numerous modifications instructure and Vre-v lation contemplated by this invention, draw-V ingsdepicting a preferred form of the invention have been annexed as part ofthis dis i closure, and in such drawings like characters of referenceindicate corresponding parts throughout all the'views, of which,- fFigureyl is a front elevationof the'device with the needle transfer.devices in operative transferring relationship; v v Figure 2 is a'planview of the device; as shown in Figure 1'; I v.Figure Sis arearelevation showing one of the needleclamps in substantially retractedposition;-l Y. f Figure 4L is a part rear elevation showing theotherofthe needlerk clamps in retracted position aftery Aprojecting' thelneedle' and thread. carried Vthereby thru the ribeye land fabric;. j d,v y

Figure his arear vview of parts of the device,` showing both needlemechanisms in theiroriginal starting positions. 'y VFigure 6 is a viewpartly in section' show# ing the irib clamp and raising and loweringmechanism therefor and the needle clamping mechanism; y t .f t .4 QFigure 7 lis a face ,viewv of the rib clamp cam; L Figure Sis aviewshowing the arrangement Referring now tothe drawings, the numeral .10designates a needle, as more clearly shown in Figure 11, having acentrally disposed eye 13 and preferably pointed at both ends as at 11and 12, whereby the needle is reversible. 'A single pointed needlehaving its eye intermediate the ends would have equal utility,` however,and is included in the scope of this invention. The needle 10 is ini- Atiallyheld in a needle clamping mechanism,

hereafter designated as the #1 needle mechnisln, and is adapted to belongitudinally rcciprocated and transferred into a second needleclamping mechanism, hereafter designated as #2 needle mechanism, fromwhence it is transferred again to the #1 needle mechanism to form acomplete stitch, the number of such transfers depending upon the numberof `stitches desired. p ,p The #1 needle clamping mechanism comprises anL-shaped block 15, see Figure 6, having one of its face portions cutaway for the reception of a plate 16 apertured to receive the needle 10.A stop pin 17 mounted in the block 15 is provided to limit the degree ofentrance of the needle through the apertured plate 16.4 Pivoted at 18inthe block 16 is aclamp .arm y2() which is urged upwardly intoneedlepclamping position yby means of Springs 21 embracinga stud 22 uponthe rear lower surface thereof and likewise lsurrounding a stud 23`fixedto arm 24 upon which the block 15 is rigidly positioned.` The clampingarm20 is also provided at its rear portion with a camming surface 25,the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Thus the needle 10is resiliently held in proper position with relation to the block 15 bythe arm 20urged downwardly thereagainst. Y

Theblock 15 extends rearwardly and upwardly to form a bearing block, asshown at 26, andhas joined to itsrear face a second bearing block 27.The block 26 and associated bearing block. 27 are suitably aperturedforjth'e reception ,of rods 28, upon which the blocks"26 and 27 areadapted to slide and which are mounted in arms 30 extending fromastandard 31 ofthe device suitable supported from a base 32. I do notwish to be limited to this formof bearing surface, however,as'inanyforms of bearings to provide a sliding surface for the blocks 27 and 28might be provided, and such are intended within the scope of thisinvention.

The #2 needle clampingmechanism is substantially similar to the :#:1needle clamping mechanism, as described, and inasmuch as only thoseparts which. are necessary to a complete understanding of the device arei a series of gear teeth arranged about the outer periphery thereof. Apinion 43 mounted on stud 44 projecting from the upright 31 ispositioned adjacent the gear plate 42 and adapted to mesh therewith,suitable means to rotate the pinion 43 either by a hand crank or beltdrive or the like, being provided.

n Positionedv on the inner face of the gear plate 42 and rigid therewithis a cam plate 45, see Figure 8, having cut therein a cam track 46.V Aroller 47 on the arm 37 is adapted to follow the cam track and to beguided thereby to determine movement of arm 37 about its pivot point40.V On the opposite face of the gear plate 42, there is provided asecond cam plate 48, see Figures 3, 4, and 5, having therein a camtrack50 in which a roller 51 rotatably mount-ed on the arm 38 is adapted tobe positioned and to be guided thereby.

The cam paths or grooves 46 and 50'in cam plates 45 and 48 respectivelyare of substantially similar configuration, although the cam track 46 ispositioned relatively in advance of the cam track 50. It will be seenfrom the vabove that upon rotation of the pinion 43, the gear plate 42is likewise rotated carrying'withit both-cam plates 45 and 48. Theroller 47 on the arm 37 must necessarily follow the path as defined bythe cam groove 46 causing the arm 37 to pivot about its pivot point 40in an arc definedk by the portionshaving greater radiias 461, 46h, 46C,46d, and 46e. of the cam track 46. This pivotal travel of the arm 37 byits engagement with pin 33 ido Xed to block '27 causesblocks 26 and 27car- Y relationship ofthe cam tracks 46 and 50, as

hereinbefore described,`is such that the #2 needle mechanism is'operatedafter the #l needle mechanism has been reciprocate'd.

. The-operation upon rotation of the cams and 48 and the resultingactuation of the needle mechanisms is as follows.l In the preferredinitial-position, it 1s desired that the #l mechanism be at the extremeend of its reverse stroke and about to start uponits forward stroke.bythe roller 47 ofthe bar 37 being positioned at the high point 46a yofthe cam track 46, see

Figure 5. At this instant, the position of the #2 needle mechanism isdetermined by the position of roller 5l of bar 38 in that portion of camtrack 5() designated by 50e, or almost at its furthest advancedposition. Rotation of the gear 42 causes roller 47 to ride down thepathY 46a tothe portion 46`f, and results in reciprocation of the blocks26, 2?,.and needle l() of the #l needle mechanism thru its forwardstroke, the portion 46 of cam track'46 being an arc of uniform radiusand defining the innermost position of the #l needle 1nechanism. The #2needle mechanism is brought intoneedle reception position with relationto the #l needle mechanism by the roller 5l riding into the portion 5()tof the cam track 50, which is an arc of uniform radius and defines theinnermost position of the #2 needle mechanism. Thus, as the #1 needlemechanism reaches the end of its forward stroke, it is closely adjacentthe #2 needle mechanism which then begins its reverse stroke or travelasndefined by the roller 5l riding up the por-V tion a ofthe 'cam track50.- At that portion of` the travel of both needle mechanisms in whichthey are closely adjacent, as above de scribed, they are spaced apart anamount permitting both mechanisms for an instant to be in operativegripping engagement with" the needle 10, and mechanism is provided,as'described in theV following, whereby the #l needle mechanism releasesthe needle 10 at the moment that the #2 needle mechanism grips it, or inother words, the needle is transferred t0 the #2 needle mechanism.Positioned on y lthe standard 31and arranged vbetween the #l and #2needle mechanisms on their most forward positions, are work .holdingclamps, also hereinafter described, and it will be seen from thefollowing that during the transfer of the. needle 10 from the #l vto the#2 needle mechanism, the needle passes .thru the article to be stitched,which is held in the work clamps.V `The #2 needle mechanism, which now'carriesneedle 10, then travels thru jits reverse and forward stroke asdelined by cam portion 50i1 of cam plate 48,` the #l needle mechanismduring such travel being maintained at the end of .the 'forward strokein needle reception position as defined bycam track 46E. At the end ofthe travel of the #2needle-mecha- Such a position is determined,

nism, both needle mechanisms arein transfer position, and the needle 10is transferred to the #l needle mechanism which then travels thru thereverse and forward stroke as defined by cam portion 46h.

lith relation to the drawings, it is seen that cam tracks 46 and 50 areeach provided with four such cam tracks as 46a, 46f, and 50?, 50f,respectively, whereby the needle l() may be transferred four-.timesduring one complete revolution of the lgear 42 from the #l needlemechanism to the #2 needle mechanism, then back to the #l needleymechanism the same number'of times upon completion of the reverse andforwardtravel vof the r#2 needle mechanism, whereupon the #l needlemechanism, which now carries the needle l0, is 'returned' to itssubstantially initial position.' lt isV to be understood, however, thatany number of such -transfers depending upon thennmber of stitchesdesired to be taken might be provided for, and l therefore do not wishto be limited to only vfour such transfer operations.

It will be noted that the track 46 ofcam plate 45 is provided with theportion 4'6e'continued thru a relatively larger arc than are the tracks46b and 46C, such portion 46d being provided tohold the #l needlemechanism stationary during the'thread cutting operation, to behereinafter described. The portion 46l is also continued along andai-cof uniform radius,vwhereby` the #l needle mechanism is held in itsVoutermost position during the needle threading operation, also to bedescribed inthe following. Portion 5()e of the cam track 50 is ofgreater radius Athan that of cam track portion 501, "whereby the needlemechanism is vmaintaineda slight distance from its innermost forwardposition during the threading operation."y

. The cam plate 45 has on its outer periphery a plurality of camsurfaces55, and positioned about the periphery of the cam plate 48,v arelikewise provided apluralityofcam surfaces 56 vwhich slightly `lag thesurfaces .5.5. VA V- Y shaped member 57,s ee Figures 3 and`5,having'arms 58 and 60, isdpivoted as at 6l to the upright 31 andrcarrieslat its lower portion thereof a rearwardly extending block 62. The block62 has mounted on its inner lower extension or at the right thereof, asviewed in Figures 3 andv 5, 'a roller 63, and at its outer and left enda roller 64, the roller 63 being adapted to engage the cam surfaces 55and the rollerY 64 adapted to engage the cam surfaces 56 upon rotationof gear plate 42. 'i

The arms 58 and 60 carryat theinupper extremities and at Vright anglestthereto studs 65 and 66. It will thus be seen that upon rotation ofthe pinion 43 and plate 42 and resulting reciprocation of both the #land #2 needle carrying mechanisms, at certain pointsy of the travelthereof, the V-shaped member 5'? is pivoted aboutl itscenter by thesurfaces 55 to tilt the V-shaped member 57 in a countcrclockwisedirection (Figures 3 and 5), causing the stud 66 to engage cam 25 on theend of the pivoted clamping arm 20 of the #2 mechanism and depress thesame for the reception ofy needle 10. The :#:2 needle carrying mechanismat this instant has completed its relatively forward stroke, and, due tothe relationship of the c-am tracks 46 and 50 is about to be returnedupon its out orv reverse stroke. lVhen the #l needle mechanism hascompleted theend of the forward stroke, the roller 63 rides olf camsurface 55, simultaneously with the engagement of the roller 64 with oneof the ca-m surfaces 56 to throw the member 57 in clockwise direction tocause stud 65 to engage cam 25 of the #l needle mechanism. This movementpermits of release of the needle in the #l mechanism and likewisereleases the clamping arm 2() of the #2 needle mechanism 1 whichoperates to firmly grasp the needle an'd carry it on its out stroke.Dur- -ing the reverse and forward stroke of the :#:2 needle mechanism,the needle clamp 2O of the #l needlemechanism is held in open position,but as the former completes its forward stroke the reverse operation ofthe clamping mechanism occurs, and the needle is transferred andgra-sped in the :#:1 needle mechanism. So that, upon continued rotationof pinion 43 and resulting rotation of the gear plate 42, there is analternate engagement by the stu'ds 65 and 66 with the clamping arms 20of both the #l and #2 needle mechanisms, thereby to alternately releaseand engage the needles.

vPositioned on the front face of the upright 31 is arib clampingmechanism. This mechanism comprises, (see Figures 1, 2 and 9) an upright7'0, adaptedto be reciprocated within confined limits wit-hin guides 71and 72. The bar 7 O carries at its upperportion a base plate 73 on whichis rigidly mounted a clamp supporting member 74. Rib clamps 75n and 75"are pivotally mounted within the member 74 by means of pin76 and havetheir ends interlocking (see Figure 6) about an adjusting screw 76awhich projects from the rear through the rib carrying member 74 andbetween the ends of the clamps 7 5a, 75", whereby they may be opened andclosed` for the reception and release of the umbrella rib. At the rearof the member 74 is an upwardly projecting extension 7 4"v which acts asa stop to limit the degree of entrance of the rib into the clamps 75aand 75".

Carried by the gear plate 42 and rearwardly of the cam plate 45 is a ribclamp cam 77, (see Fig. 7,) adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear 42.The upright 7 O has rigidly joined to its rear facev an arm 78 (seeFigure 9)` adapted to project through a slot'in the up-K the rotation ofthe rib clamp cam 77 result-` ing upon the rotation of gear 42.

The periphery of the cam 77 has on its outer face'the following camsurfaces; the

lcharacter 77a denotes portions thereof, which by the engagement oftheroller 79 therewith causes the upright to maintain the clamps 7 52L and7 5"` in such position that the needle' 10 may pass through the articleto be stitched. Rotation of the cam 77 causes roller 79 to engage thecam surface 77" of the ca'm 77* which raises the upright 70 and clamps75a and so that the needle passes relatively under the article held inthe rib clamp; while the portions 77C, when engaged by the roller 79,cause the clamping device to drop and permit the needle to passrelatively `over the article held in the clamps 75a and 75" withoutvengagement therewith. y j

inasmuch as the sewing mechanism proper has now been described, theoperation of this mechanism so far described willl be briefly explainedin order that a clearer perception may be had of the threading andthread cut-` ting mechanisms to be described in the following.

As hereinbefore described, the cover or fabric portion of the umbrellais sewed to the umbrella rib through an eye provided at the end thereof.Such an operationv comprehends the successive steps of passing a threadthrough the fabric and eye, thence yabout the upper side of the cover,thru the fabric and eye and about the upper sideof the cover again,through the eye and about the underside of the cover, and again throughthe eye and about the under side of the cover. The mechanism as abovedescribed vautomatically performs these necessary operations. in thefollowing manner:

Referring to Figures 12 to 16, an umbrella rib 80 with the fabriclorcover 81 kwrapped around the end of the same is position in theclamps 75a and 75" and held therein by operation of the adjusting screw7 6, with the thread retainingnieans such as the eye 82 of the rib tippointing upwardly. At the beginning of the operation of the machine, thejc/:1 needle mechanism carrying therewith Ythe needle 10 with threadrunning throughits eye 13 is in retractedposition, the needle clampingarm20 firmly holding the needle in working position, and the :trl-2needle mechanism, being approximately at the end of its forward strokeand in needle reception posi! tion, as hereinbefore explained. Rotationof the gear 42 causes the #l needle,` mechanism to .complete its forwardstroke, the

needle 10 being projected through the fabric 8l and eye 82 of the rib 30held in clamps 75a and 7 5b, during this travel, and.` then gripped bythe ,ft2 needle mechanism. During the transfer of the needle 10 theroller 79 of the rib clamp mechanismengages surface 77 a of the cam 77,and the doubled thread is passed through the fabric andeye of the ribr80.y The #2 needle mechanism then on its Vthread to wrap itself aboutthe outer side of the rib and associated fabric, the #l needle mechanismthen completing its reverse stroke. This cycle of loperation is neXtrepeated a second time causing a second stitch to be taken through theeye of the rib and then below or about the relatively outer side 81ofthe fabric. i Thethird forward stroke of the #l needle mechanismprojects the needle 10 and thread carried thereby through lthe eye forthe third time, when it is transferred to the #2 mechanism as abovedescribed. Upon the third return of the needle to the #1 needlemechanism, however, the roller 79 en- OfaOes the cam aortion 7.7CV whichcauses the rib clamping mechanism to drop, and the needle travels labovethe clamps av and 75" and the threadris wrapped over the relativelyunder side of eye 32 and rib 80. This last above operation isrepeatedon` the fourth and last forward and return stroke of the #1 needlemechanism. lThe thread is then cut by cutting mechanism(hereinafterdescribed, and the ribr with fabric sewed thereto is then removed fromthe clamps 7.5d and 7 5b to be followed by subsequent severingoperations.

It is seen from the above that the needle 10 is transferred through theeye of the rib four times upon onercompletey ycycle of rotation, by the:#:1 needle mechanism, is received the same number of times by thea-,t2mechanism and returned to the #1 needle mechanismv twice below and twiceabove the rib and fabric inthe clamps 75a and 7 51%, Stitches are thusformed in the sameportion of the work in that no appreciable lateralmovement is pern'i'itted thev work held in the rib clamping mechanisml Ialso provide thread carrying and cutting mechanisms whereby when thefabric has been sewed to one rib and the `thread cut therefrom by meansof a rcutting device hereinafter described, the needleis automaticallyrethreaded `for the necessary operation. Referring to Figure 3, itwillbe seen thata spool Acarrying arm 100 is provided upon which a spool ofthread is adapted to be loosehaving a depending rod 107 joinedthereto.

The rod 107 is slidably mounted within a second bushing 108 mounted inthe arm 102 and carries at its lower end a substantially .U-

shaped threading element 110. Positioned in one leg of the element 110is an aperture 111 adapted for reception of a thread from the spool andthe other leg has a cutaway portion, as shown at 112, for the purposehereinafter described.

,Mounted at the lower end of the-rod k105 is .a pin 113 adapted toengage in a slot 114 in an arm 115'pivoted as at 116 to a plate 117.

The plate 117 forms a cover for a Uy-shapevd bearing block 118 rigidlyfastened to the standard 31. Within this bearing is mountfed forvertical reciprocation a threader arm tioned on varm 124`and incooperative relationship with the pivot'ed member 115 are pins 126 and127 which'deiine the 'limits fof thearc through whichl the arm 115 isadapted to swing about its pivotA pin z116.

The bushing 108 has cut therein` a helical groove 128, into which a pin130 on rod 107,

`which is adapted to be Vreciprocated within the bushing.108,projects(Thus, as the threader arm 120 is projectedupwa'rdly, pin

127 will engagearmv 115 to lower the rod 10,5,

rod 107, and the threader member 110caryriedithereby is caused torotatelthrough an v arc of approximately 4The threaderl arm yactuationmechanism isv as follows: The arm carries a portion 131 which projectsthrough a slot 132 inthe upright standard 31, and which carries a pin 120 ,132L engaging in a slot 133 of a rod 134 pivoted to the rear face ofthe standard 37 as at 135. The pivotedrod 134'carries a roller 136adapted to engage acam surface 137 of a cam 138 rigidly associated withthe cam plate 45 and. adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear vwheel 42.Thus, upon rotation of the Acam 138 roller 136 engages the cam surface137 causing the varm 134 to swing about its pivot point vwhich carriesupwardly through the amount of'thread through the fabric on 'aol themedium of slot 133 the threader arm 120.

'This' upward movement thereof raises the threading position.

With relation to Figure 8, the operation of the threader mechanism istimed with relation' to the needleV transfer mechanisms so 'that thethreading operation takes place while the #1 needle mechanism is inretract- 'ed position, that is, while the roller 47 thereof is followingthe portion'46El incam plate 45. Thus, as seen in Figure 10, when the #lneedle mechanism is in retracted position the threader mechanism isadapted to raise the threader arm 120v to project the threader needle121 through the' eye 13 of the needle v1`0. In this position, thethreader member 110 is in lowered position and is swung around to facethe operator, as shown.

1t is to be noted at this point that the needle 10 carries through thefabric on the first actuation of the #1 needle mechanism a doubledthread, one portion of which is single and a continuation of the threadfrom the spool, the #2 threader mechanism pulling its irst reversestroke necessary during the entire stitching operation. This singlethread passesthrough aperture 111 and is guided by the cutaway portion112 of the U-shaped threader member 110, during such 'feedingoperation'.` Upon upward actuation of the threader arm 120`at the end ofthe last stitching stroke, the vmember 110,v as `hereinbefore explained,drops and brings 'the "thread across the eye l3nt needle 10 inadirection transverse to the needle. The threader needle 121 projectingat that time through the eye 13, hooks over the thread,

and draws'the same through the eye 13 subsequent to which the thread iscut, the needle then beingfthreaded'forthe next stitching icycle. Y

With relation to Figure 9, there is also provided a thread cuttingmechanism which comprises an arm 140 4pivoted at 141 to support 71 oftherib clamping support, which arm carries'at its upper portion a knifeblade ,142, A projecting lug 143 is provided at the base of the arm 140and engages a pin 144 mounted in the support 71 to limit the outwardrotation of the arm 140. kThe arm 140 with its knife 142 is resilientlyurged to the utmost of its outward or inoperative position as by s 'ring1441.

Rigi ly mounted on the'upright 31 are Vtwo brace me1nbers145 in whicha'rod 146 is rotatably supported. Fixed to this rod 146 is a bell cranklever 147, having an upwardly projecting arm 150 adapted to engage '152ofthe bell crank lever projects thru a slot 153 in the support 31 andhas at its end portion a cam iinger 154. This cam finger is adapted toenga-ge the knife cam 155 rigidly associated between the threader cam138 and the cam plate and adapted to rotate upon rotation of gear 42.About theperiphery of the cam 155 are two projecting cam surfaces 155and 1551 which, by their engagement with the cam finger 154 Servev torock the bell crank lever 147 about its pivot point 146 which causes theknife arm 140 tobe twice swung into operative cutting relation duringone complete rotation of thel gear 42.

The operation of the first cutting stroke of the arm 1.4.0 and knife142, as determined by the relation of cam surface 155"l with the camplate 45 and cam tracks cut therein, occurs as the #1 needle mechanismis temporarily retained in intermediate position between its innermostand retracted positions, upon its last reverse stroke, in whichvposition the roller 47 rides in cam portion 46e. This cutting` strokesevers the doubled thread carried by the needle 10 over the clamps 75aand 75", a characteristic of the last transfer operation from the ,ft2needle mechanism to the .#1 needle mechanism, as hereii'ibeforedescribed. The needle 10, freed of the thread, is then retracted to itsfurthermost position for the threading operation. i

The second cutting operation, as vdetermined by cam 155b is operative tocut the single thread running from the spool through Vthe eye 82 andfabric 81, after the thread carried by needle 10 has been cut, and isoperathe needle 10 is in fuliy retracted position as determined by theroller 47 riding in the cam track 46a. Thon thefthreader needle 121 hasbeen projected through the eye 13 of needle 10 and is drawing the same,the cam 1,55* causes the arm 140 and knife 142 to swing through itscutting arc. The roller 136has at this point reached the high point ofthe cam surface 137 of the threader actuating `cam 138, and is free toride down `the inclined surface thereof to permit the threader arm 12()to drop. The threader arm 121, however, is hooked over the thread andtheweight o-f the arm 120 and associated parts is'substantially sustainedfrom the thread, thus exerting tension thereon, and providing a degreeof tautness, which permits the knife 142 upon completion of the travelof arm 140 to easily sever the same. After the thread is severed thethreader arm drops back into its retracted position, the threader arm121 having then completed the threading of the eye of the needle 10, andthe knife 142,and arm 141 are urged out of operative position by thespring 144. Upon removal of the rib 8O and fabric stitched thereto fromthe clamps 7 5'L1 and 7 5b ra cam surface 148 on cutter arm 140 at its YllO the-device is then ready for the next succeeding stitchingoperation.

' It is to' be particularly noted thatf cam trac is 46 and 50v of camplates 45 and 48of the #1 and #2 needle mechanisms are so designed asltor automatically compensate kthe 'throw of the needle to the amount ofthread used by the successive operations of the complete stitchingcycle; With .relation to `Figs. 5 and 8, it is seen that the cam surface46u has the greatest radius, and the cam portions 46", 46C, 46d and46edecreaseias to their respective radii causing adecrease of the travelof #l needle mechanism, an amount which vcompensates for the travel ofthe thread vfrom the #l and the :#2 needle mechanism,

a length of doubled thread sufficient to conilpensate for the-wrappingof the thread under and over the rib during the following stitching andtransfer operations, as determined by cani portions ,50b,`50c and 50d ofdecreasing radii, and also to leave a certain amount of thread freevaboutthe rib after the cutting operation has taken place! rihe guides71 and T2, VVhereinbefore described, are mounted on an adjuster plate160, seeITigure 1, which is pivoted to the upright 31 by a pin 161.. The.plate 160 is suitably apertured to permit the part 7 8 of the rib'clampmechanism, and the cam linger 154 of the cutting mechanism, to passtherethru. Positioned at the lowermost extremity ofthe plate 166 isanoutwardly extending portion 162 Vwhich is engaged by heads 163 ofadjusting screws 164. The said adjusting screws are mounted in arms 165by adjusting bolts-166 and are resiliently urged into engagen'ient withblock 162 by means of springs 167 co-acting between parts162 and 165. Amovable mounting of the Work clamping mechanism as well as the threadcutting mechanism is thus provided, for,be ingsupported on the plate160, these mechaiiisnis are permitted the lslight pivotal move- `nientallowed to the plate, but will return to `their originalpositions due tothe resilient laction of the springs 167. This feature is desirable foradjusting` purposes, and also for eqiializiiigwtlie strain on the threadorv the kneedle as it held or passed thru the Work clamped to the-worksupport.

PTliere are also provided rollers 168 mounted `o-ii upright 31 which areengaged by the arms 24 of the lneedle-mechanism both to support thesaine during their various reciprocati'oiis and-to lessen the frictionbetween the inoving parts and the stationary mountings therefor. f

. VThe above described'sew'ing machine thus automatically performs thevarious vsteps in the sewing of an umbrella cover to the eye at the endofthe rib in an uninterrupted sequence of operations, all of which `werepreviously performed by hand, and in a practical andefficient manner. Itis obvious that such a device including automatic sewing, threadsevering, and needle threading mechanisms lessens to the lowest possibleminimum the time factor in the manufacture of umbrellas as well asdecreasing the cost of labor therefor, whereby the production cost of anumbrella is materially decreased. i

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are` achieved andother advantageous results attained.- As manychanges could bemade in carrying out the above construction, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description lor shown in the accompanyingdrawings 'shall be interpreted as illustra.- tive and not in a limitingsense.

Iclaim: Q l V 1. In a machine for sewing a cover. to the rib tip of anumbrella, the tip being provided with thread retaining means, incombination, means for clamping the cover to the tip, a needle, means toposition the tip with the thread retaining means opera-tively disposedin the path of the needle, and mechanically operated means to passsuccessively a. thread carried by the needle into the retaining meansand thru the associated cover, and about the tip and cover. y 1

2. In a machine for sewinga cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, the tipbeing provided with thread retaining means, in combination, means forclamping the cover to the tip, a needle, means to position the tip withthe thread retaining means operatively disposed in the path `of theneedle, and mechanically operated means to pass successively athreadca-rredrby the needle into the retaining means and thru the associatedcover, and about both sides of the tip.

3. In a device of the character described,

in combination, aneedle, a work holding clamp adapted to hold anumbrella rib or tip having an aperture therein and fabric to be stitchedthereto, means to reciprocate said holding clamp, needle clampsdisposedV on both sides of said holding clamp, and means to transfersaidneedle from one to the other of said needle clamps thru the fabricand umbrella rib or tip, said holding clamp being provided with means toposition the rib or tip whereby the needle passes thru the aperturetherein. -K l 4. In a device of the character described, in combination,a needle, needle Vclamps adapted .to frictionally hold said needle,means to transfer saidneedle from one to the other of said clamps, landa reciprocable worl; holding clamp being providedwith means .to grip anumbrella rib or tip having an eye therein and fabric to be stitchedthereto and to position the rib or tip therein whereby the needle passesthru the eye thereof during the said needle transfer. Y

5. In astitching machine of the character described, in combination, awork holding clamp adapted to grip the work therein, a needle,reciprocating needle clamps disposed on both sides of said work clamp,means to transfer said needle from one to t-he other of said needleclamps, means to return said needle to said rst mentioned needle clamp,and means to reciprocate the work clamp and work held therein into andout of, and in a single plane normal to the path of the needle, wherebythe needle passes thru and about 'the work.

6. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, aneedle, reciprocating needle clamping mechanisms, a work clamp disposedbetween said needle clamping mechanisms, means to transfer the needlefrom one of said mechanisms to the other of said mechanisms, and toreturn the needle to said iirst mentioned mechanism upon reciprocationof said needle clamping mechanisms, and means to reciprocate said workclamp in a single plane norm al to the path of the needle and prior tothe return of said needle to said iirst mentioned mechanism whereby thethread is passed thru and wrapped about the work held in the work clamp.

7. In a machine for sewing an umbrella fabric to the rib tip of anumbrella frame, the rib having an eye or aperture therein, incombination, a needle, needle clamp ing mechanisms, a. supporting clampfor the fabric and tip positioned between said needle clampingmechanisms, means to alternately reciprocate said needle clampingmechanisms, means Vto transfer said needle from one of said clampingmechanisms to the other of said mechanisms during such reciprocation,means to returnv said needle to said first mentioned mechanism uponfurther reciprocation, and means to reciprocate said work support in aplane normal to the path of the needle, said transfer means beingoperative upon actuation of both .saidt reciprocating means to passsuccessively the needle thru the eye or aperture in the tip and toreturn the needle to the first named clamping'mechanism about the tipand the fabric associated therewith.

Y 8. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination,a needle, needle clamping mechanisms, a work .supporting clamp disposedbetween said needle clamping` mechanisms, means to transfer the Vneedlefrom one of said mechanisms to the other of said mechanisms, and toreturn the needle to said first mentioned mechanism, and means toreciprocate said work supporting clamp in a single plane normal to thepath of the needle priorto the return of said needle to said rstmentioned mechanism, whereby the thread is passed thru and wrappedrelatively over and under the work held in the work clamp.

9. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, aneedle, needle clamping mechanisms, a work supporting clamp positionedbetween said needle clamping mechanisms, means to alternatelyreciprecate said needle clamping mechanisms, means to transfer saidneedle from one of said clamping mechanisms to the other of saidclamping mechanisms during such reciprocation, means to return saidneedle to said lirst mentioned mechanism upon further reciprocation, andmeans to actuate the work clamp in a plane normal-to the path of travelof the needle and out of and back to an initial position in which thework is in the path of travel of the needle during its transfermovement, whereby successive stitches are taken thru and about the sameportion of the work.

10. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combinationwith a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause aplurality of transfers o-f the needle thru the the article to bestitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, of meansincluding a rotatable member having progres,-

sively decreasing cam surfaces thereon to decrease the travel of theneedle clamps whereby to compensate the travel of said needle clampswith respect to the amount of thread used during the successivestitches.

11. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combinationwith a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause aplurality of transfers of the needle thru and relatively about the workto be stitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, a threadcutting mechanism operative after the last transfer of the needle andthread carried thereby relatively about the work to sever the doubledthread carried by said needle during such transfer, and to subsequentlysever the thread extending from the source of thread supply thru thework resulting from the first transfer 0f the needle thru the article tobe stitched.

l2'. In a stitching machineof the character described, in combinationwith a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause aplurality of transfers of the needle thru and relatively about the workto be stitched from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp, of meansto sever the thread extending from the source of thread supply thru thework resulting from the first transfer of the needle, and means torethread the needle, said last mentioned means being operative totension the thread during said cutting operation.

13. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combinationwith a set of needle clamps for a needle, and mechanism to cause aplurality of transfers of the needle from one needle clamp to the otherand vice versa, of work clamping mechanism disposed between the needleclamps adapted to hold the work to be stitched, and means to reciprocatethe work supporting mechanism in a single plane normal to the path ofthe needle to relatively raise the work prior toV atleast one of theneedle transfer operations to permit the needleto pass relatively underthe work held in said work clamping mechanism and means to reciprocatethe work clamping mechanism at least once to permit the needle to betra-nsferred relatively above the work held in said work clampingmechanism.

14. In a stitching machine of the character described, in combination, aneedle, a set of needle clamps, a work supporting mechanism positionedbetween said clamps, means to alternately reciprocate said clamps, meansto cause a plurality of transfers of saidneedle from one needle clamp4to theother needle clamp and vice versa duringsuch reciproca tion ofsaid clamps, means to raise and lower said work supporting mechanismprior to at least two of the transfer operations to permit the needle tobe transferred from one needle clamp to the other needle clamp bothunder and over t-he work carried in the work supporting mechanism, meansto compensate the throw of said clamps with respect to the amountofthread used, means operative to sever the thread carried by saidneedle during its last transfer actuation, and to sever the threadextending; from the source of thread supply and carried by the needle onits first 4 transfer actuation, and means to'rethread the needle.

15. Mechanism for sewing the fabric cover to an apertured umbrella ribor tip, compris sively pass a needle and thread carried thereby thru thefabric and aperture of the rib or tip, means to move said fabric and ribor tip out of the path of said needle whereby the thread is passed aboutthe fabric and rib or tip, and means to position the rib or tip in saidfirst named means whereby the needle passes thru the aperture in the ribor tip.

V16. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, thetip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means forclan'ipinthe umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip withthe eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operatedmeans to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eyeof the tip and associated cover, and about the tip and cover.

17. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, thetip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means forclamping the umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip withthe eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operatedmeans to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eyeof the tip and associated cover, and about either side of the tip.

18. In a machine for sewing a cover to the rib tip of an umbrella, thetip being provided with an eye, in combination, a needle, means forclamping the umbrella cover to the tip, means to position the tip withthe eye operatively related to the needle, and mechanically operatedmeans to successively pass a thread carried by the needle thru the eyeof the tip and associated cover, and about both sides of the tip.

Signed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania this 13th day of April 1925.

MICHAEL M. SCHARF.

